Curtiss Hall turned one hundred years old in 2009.
First known as Agriculture Hall, then named in 1947 for Charles Curtiss, dean of the college from 1902 to 1932, the building is one of the most familiar and distinctive landmarks on Iowa State’s central campus.
Each semester, thousands of students stream into Curtiss Hall to attend classes in the 400-seat auditorium and smaller classrooms. Curtiss Hall houses the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences deans' offices, the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station and Extension to Agriculture and Natural Resources, plus several other departments, centers and programs including the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies.
Preparing for a second century
As the building enters its second century, a campaign is underway to ensure its use for future generations. Plans are underway to create a more student-centered building with modern, energy efficient, high quality features including a student commons, meeting rooms for group work and interviews and a ground-level wing devoted to student services. Phase I of the renovation began earlier this year. Work is underway to enhance the offices and programs serving students in the college. The auditorium has already undergone complete renovation and the front steps have been replaced.
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The project team, consisting of university administrators and architects and Architects Smith Metzger of Des Moines, is devoted to improving the overall safety, visual appeal and function of the building while preserving its traditional architectural elements. A goal of the project is to achieve LEED Gold certification.
Future improvements
The Monsanto Student Services Wing will include updated, student-friendly office suites for student services, career services, study-abroad, entrepreneurship and marketing and recruitment.
The renovation will also include the creation of the Harl Commons. Named in honor of generous benefactors Dr. Neil and Mrs. Darlene Harl, the renovated space will be located on the ground level of Curtiss Hall. This student-centered area will include an open area for informal gatherings, a café/deli and meeting areas available to students to encourage teamwork and improve communications.
Support the effort
The cost of the Curtiss Hall renovation will be provided through private fundraising and university resources. The first phase of the project will focus on improving spaces devoted to students — especially the student services wing and the new commons. Fundraising continues for this phase, which also will include financial support committed by the college and the university. A second phase, with both private and public support, will focus on improvements throughout the building.
The renovation of Curtiss Hall is part of Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and Purpose, the university’s $800 million fundraising effort that was publicly launched October 2007.
For information about giving to the Curtiss Hall renovation effort contact Ray Klein, executive director of development, at (515) 294-7677 or rklein@iastate.edu.
